Lord Dunmore replied that he did not believe the Crown intended such an irregular western boundary. He then proceeded to explain the boundary as he understood it.
It is a fact worthy of remark that Governor Penn’s proposition gave to Virginia nearly all that she claimed, while Dunmore’s gave to Pennsylvania far more than she demanded; the boundary lines as he defined them being almost identical with those at present established.
No agreement was reached and Lord Dunmore refused to relinquish his authority over Fort Pitt.
Meanwhile Conolly’s conduct was outrageous. He not only oppressed the people, but stirred up a war with the Indians, who committed great barbarities.
Governor Penn could not save the situation, nor could the law furnish any protection.
The war with the mother country developed and Dunmore and Conolly took sides against the colonists.
On the night of June 7, 1775, Dunmore was compelled to seek safety on board the “Fowney,” an English man-of-war, at York, Va., and Conolly soon joined Dunmore in his place of refuge.
In December, 1776, the legislature of Virginia proposed a line of demarcation, which was slightly different from those already suggested, but Pennsylvania could not accept it.
In the meantime matters remained in a chaotic condition, especially as to Westmoreland inhabitants. But the time came when it was necessary to do something.
Finally George Bryan, John Ewing, and David Rittenhouse, on the part of Pennsylvania, and Dr. James Madison and Robert Andrews, on the part of Virginia, met as commissioners at Baltimore, August 31, 1779, and after thorough consideration of the subject agreed as follows: